Insect Repellant – What You Put ON Your Skin Matters!

Summer is here!
What comes along with long, lazy days outdoors? BUGS! A common bug that many of us specifically “protect” ourselves from are mosquitos. Not only are these (excuse me if offend) ugly and annoying, but they also have the potential to carry and spread disease. CDC reports that “Mosquito-borne diseases are those spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Diseases that are spread to people by mosquitoes include Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue, and malaria.”

Bug Protection – but what about your health?
These viruses can certainly cause concern, but so should the insect repellants you and your family are dousing your body with. One of the most common ingredients used in bug repellants that are found in stores is DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). In some products, there is a concentration of this chemical up to 100%. Why should everyone be concerned about DEET? Put simply, DEET has been shown to cause damage to the brain and nervous system function.

Remember, your skin in the largest organ of your body. What goes on that skin seeps directly into your blood. In particular, children are considered even more at risk, with a greater effect on their neurological system as their skin is thinner and more porous. Here are some symptoms displayed by children that were reported to poison control centers after using products that contained DEET: lethargy, headaches, tremors, involuntary movements, seizures, and convulsions. From a Dr. Mercola article, discussing a study that was conducted with 140 National Park Service employees: 25% of the subjects reported symptoms attributed to DEET. These symptoms included: rashes, skin irritation, numb or burning lips, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, nausea, headaches and disorientation.

For purposes of keeping this blog reader-friendly, I’m only commenting on one of many toxic chemicals commonly found in commercial insect repellants. (Much more can be learned by reading the articles with links provided below.)

Bug and Non-Toxic Protection Options
Fortunately, as more people are taking an active role in their health and educating themselves on the potentially harmful impact of toxins, they are also looking for alternatives. So what are some options for keeping away those pesky bugs without harming your or your child’s health?
– One excellent option is a natural oil Insect Repellant product that you will find at CoeDynamics Beauty and Body Care Open Housethis Saturday.
This natural Insect Repellant contains non-synthetic oils that moisturize the skin; there is no chemical scent; it is non-aerosol (not harmful to the environment) AND it contains lemon eucalyptus (the only essential oil approved by the CDC to help prevent mosquito bites and spread of the Zika virus). My personal testimony to this product involves a three hour walk through the SB Botanical Garden on a very hot and humid day. I was grateful for this wonderful product – I was protected from the biting bugs and I didn’t put my health at risk!

Other non-toxic Protection Considerations:
– wear full-coverage clothing
– burn a citronella candle
– use essential oils in a diffuser
– plant marigolds around the yard
– during the season of bugs add a B1 supplement* (as long as you are already getting a full complement of other B vitamins, to not cause an imbalance)
– regularly consuming garlic may protect from bites (as well as being excellent for the immune system)
– other deterrents to bugs include: peppermint, cinnamon leaf, basil and vanilla extract.

We invite you and your friends to learn more about insect repellent and other summer body care products, at CoeDynamics Open House of creating Health & Beauty from the Outside-In. This Saturday 7/22, will be the last CoeDynamics, Open House for summer 2017. We hope to see you there.

To keep these messages reader friendly, they are in summarized format, if you have further questions, please contact Tracy, certified QRA Wellness & Nutrition Practitioner at pilates@coe-dynamics.com. We hope to see you and your friends atCoeDynamics upcoming Beauty and Body Care Open House

Disclaimer: Messages from CoeDynamics are not regulated by FDAA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or health condition. It is solely informational in nature. Please consult your health care practitioner before engaging in any treatments or nutritional product mentioned or suggested in these messages.